Players in the following categories will be eligible for exemption from sectional qualifying in the 2018 championship only. The USGA reserves the right to revise any of the exemption categories. Exemptions under categories reserved for amateurs will be granted only to players who are currently amateurs. An amateur who is exempt into the championship proper through a category reserved for amateurs becomes ineligible if she becomes a professional before beginning play or during the play of the championship. Exempt players who wish to compete in the championship must file an entry, except those players for whom blank entries are filed as noted below.
S-1. Winners of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship the last 10 years.
S-2. Any winner of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship who has not yet reached her 66th birthday on or before the final day of the championship.
S-3. From the previous year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 20th place.
S-4. From the previous year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, the amateur returning the lowest 72-hole score (must be an amateur).
S-5. Winners of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship the last 10 years.
S-6. From the most recent U.S. Women’s Open Championship, any player returning a 72-hole score.
S-7. Winners of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship the last 10 years and the runner-up from the previous year.
S-8. Winners of the ANA Inspiration, Ricoh Women’s British Open and KPMG championships the last 10 years.
S-9. Winners of the Evian Championship the last five years (2013-2017). This exemption builds to a 10-year exemption.
S-10. Winners of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship the last two years and the most recent runner-up (must be an amateur).
S-11. Winner of the most current U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship (must be an amateur).
S-12. Playing members of the two most recent United States and Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup Teams and the two most recent United States Women’s World Amateur Teams (must be an amateur).
S-13. Playing members of the five most recent United States and European Solheim Cup Teams.
S-14. The top 30 players from the previous year’s final official Legends Tour money list.
S-15. From the Legends Tour all-time money list, the top 10 money leaders through the close of entries. Players must select a qualifying site at the time of entry. (Must have filed an entry by the close of entries.)
S-16. Any player whose 50th birthday falls between the close of entries and the first scheduled round of the championship who, at the close of entries, would have otherwise been listed among the top 10 on the Legends Tour all-time money list. Players must select a qualifying site at the time of entry. (Must have filed an entry by the close of entries.)
S-17. From the official Legends Tour money list, the top 15 money leaders through the close of entries. Players must select a qualifying site at the time of entry. (Must have filed an entry by the close of entries.)
S-18. Winners of Legends Tour co-sponsored events, excluding team events, whose victories are considered official, in the last two calendar years and during the current calendar year to the initiation of the current year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship. Events must be a minimum of 36 holes. (NOTE: The USGA will file blank entries for those players who become exempt after the close of entries.)
S-19. From the LPGA Tour all-time money list, the top 75 money leaders through the close of entries. Players must select a qualifying site at the time of entry. (Must have filed an entry by the close of entries.)
S-20. Any player in her first 10 years of age eligibility who has won the U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
S-21. Any player in her first three years of age eligibility who has won a U.S. Women’s Amateur, ANA Inspiration, Ricoh Women’s British Open, KPMG Women’s PGA, Evian or Ladies’ British Open Amateur championship.
S-22. Winner of the LPGA T&CP Championship the last five years and most current runner-up.
S-23. Winners of LPGA Tour co-sponsored events, whose victories are considered official, in the last five calendar years and during the current calendar year to the initiation of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship. (NOTE: The USGA will file blank entries for those players who become exempt after the close of entries.)
S-24. From the previous year's final official Ladies European Tour and Japan LPGA Career money lists, the top five money leaders.
S-25. Winners of the most current Senior Ladies' British Open Amateur and Canadian Senior Women’s Amateur championships.
S-26. Special exemptions as selected by the USGA. Must have filed an entry by the close of entries. Deadline for submission of request: close of entries. Players must select a qualifying site at the time of entry.